Cow diseases

What is milk fever?

This is a common metabolic disease caused by a massive drop in calcium levels near calving time

What is hypocalcaemia?

Deficiency of calcium in blood

What is signs of milk fever?

24 hours after parturition (although can occur weeks, months after calving)

Teeth grinding

Muscle tremers

Stiff legs

Straight hocks

Daddling of feet when standing

Downward ‘s’ bend in neck

Bloat

Still born calves/poor labour

Death

What is suitable treatment for milk fever?

40% of calcium borogluconate at body temp given

Slowly IV

Cow should be propped up & attempting to stand within 10-15 minutes

How do you prevent Milk fever?

Body condition scoring before calving to ensure heifers are good weight

Nutritional control

Drenches, gels, calcium boluses before calving

Avoid stress

What is staggers?

This is a deficiency of magnesium in the blood post calving

What is hypomagnesaemia?

low magnesium in the blood

What is signs of staggers?

Sudden death

Seperation from others

seizures

startled expression

Exaggerated blink

What is the treatment for staggers?

Sedatives to control seizures

400ml of 40% calcium bolorgluconate

400ml of 25% magnesium sulphate under direction of vet

Rest and suitable diet - this stops relapse from happening

What is the prevention for staggers?

Supplementation

Suitable magnesium in diet

What is mastitis?

This is an inflammatory response in udder tissue, caused by infection or trauma and reduces milk production. Very painful.

What are the clinical signs of mastitis?

Udder hard, red, painful and swollen

Milky watery, flakey clots, pus

Increased temperature

Decreased milk yield

Sunken eyes

Diarrhoea

Dehydration

Lack of appetite

What is the sub-clinical signs for mastitis?

Laboratory tests, california milk testing, imaging

What is the treatment for mastitis?

Non-steriod Anti-inflammaties (NSAIDS)

What is prevention for Mastitis?

Hygienic teat

Regular milking

Hygienic enviroment

What is a C-section?

An incision through the abdominal wall in to the abdomen which is used to isolate the uterus

An incision is then made through the uterus in order to deliver the calf

What is Ringworm?

A contagious fungal infection of the skin

What is the cause of Ringowrm?

Trichopyton Verrucosum

How is ringworm spread?

Via indirect or direct contact

What are signs of Ringworm?

Circular alopecia on and surrounding face, neck and shoulders

Dry crusty lesions

Alopecia

What is treatment for ringworm?

Isolation

Tropical antifungal

How to prevent ringworm?

Isolation

Good biosecurity